Georgia fans had plenty of reasons to be concerned after the Bulldogs suffered a shocking 27-24 home loss to Auburn on October 17. But whatever questions that defeat raised about Kirby Smart's team have quickly been answered.
And the answers haven't exactly been subtle.
Georgia has responded with three consecutive victories over Florida, Ole Miss, and Missouri, looking more dominant with each passing week. The Bulldogs haven't simply found ways to win games. They've been dismantling opponents on both sides of the ball.
The numbers tell an incredible story, and three statistics in particular show just how dangerous Georgia has become since its lone defeat.
1. Gunner Stockton has bounced back to start generating Heisman talk
One of the biggest concerns coming out of Georgia's loss to Auburn was Gunner Stockton's decision-making. Stockton threw two interceptions and lost a key fumble in that defeat, raising questions about whether he could consistently protect the football against quality competition.
Stockton has responded by going three consecutive games without throwing a single interception, and putting on an arieal clinic that has people starting to talk Heisman candidate.
Against Florida, Ole Miss, and Missouri, Stockton has completed 40 of 62 passes for 539 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His most impressive performance came against Ole Miss, when he threw four touchdown passes on just 15 attempts while averaging an incredible 12.4 yards per throw.
He followed that up by completing 75 percent of his passes for 252 yards against Missouri.
Stockton hasn't needed to throw the football 35 or 40 times per game to make Georgia's offense hum. Instead, he's protected the football, capitalized on explosive opportunities, and allowed the Bulldogs' rushing attack to help dictate the game.
For a Georgia team with national championship aspirations, that combination could be exactly what Kirby Smart needs from his starting quarterback.
2. Georgia's rushing attack has become a serious problem for opponents
One of the biggest concerns following the Auburn loss was whether Georgia could consistently impose its will on opposing defenses. The Bulldogs rushed for just 113 yards against Auburn, struggling to establish the kind of physical game that has defined Smart's teams.
That certainly wasn't a problem over the last three games. Georgia rushed for 694 yards against Florida, Ole Miss, and Missouri, while scoring nine rushing touchdowns.
Georgia exploded for 295 rushing yards against the Rebels, demonstrating just how much more dangerous its offense can become when the offensive line takes control of the game. The return of Nate Frazier and the emergence of Dwight Phillips Jr. have only made things more difficult for opposing defenses.
With Gunner Stockton providing a threat on the ground as well as through the air, Georgia's improving rushing attack adds another dimension that opponents must prepare for, and that's exactly what Kirby Smart wants to see develop with the College Football Playoff approaching.
3. Georgia has jumped out to a combined 90-0 lead in three games
The most remarkable statistic from Georgia's recent stretch might be how quickly the Bulldogs have taken control of games.
Against Florida, Georgia built a 24-0 lead before the Gators finally got on the scoreboard.
Against Ole Miss, the Bulldogs were even more dominant, jumping ahead 35-0.
Then came Missouri, where Georgia raced out to a 31-0 lead.
Add those three hot starts together, and Georgia has scored 90 unanswered points before allowing its opponents to score. That's the kind of dominance that can completely change the way opposing teams approach a matchup.
Georgia's opponents have found themselves desperately trying to recover before the game even reaches its final stages. The Bulldogs' physicality, discipline, and control of games from the opening whistle over the last three games have made Georgia look like a team that is peaking at just the right time.
The Auburn loss might ultimately be remembered as the moment that changed Georgia's season. Because if the Bulldogs continue playing the way they have over the last three weeks, the rest of the field has a serious problem on its hands.
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